Six Guns: Volume Two (12 page)

FIFTEEN

CAIN

In the days following the incident at Cain Designs, the Triplet had managed to pull through. I was worried about that doctor Lilah had brought in saying something. He seemed like the type who would go home and contemplate the situation, let his morals keep him up at night and then go turn himself in, thus turning me in along with him. He could do a lot of damage if he talked. I was still wondering if I should let him live. One of the main reasons I hadn’t acted on anything was because of Lilah. If she found out he
died suddenly,
she’d be madder than hell, and I’d end up suffering the brunt of that wrath. If she got pissed off enough, she could do even more damage by turning on me. It was one of those situations where I was weighing out in my mind who would cause me a bigger hit. Lilah. Definitely Lilah.

The Triplet was recovering at the mansion. I had beefed up security even more. More cameras. More men being on scene as eyes outside of the mansion. More alarms that could be triggered if someone tried to cross over onto the property without proper codes.

But I was going crazy—absolutely out of my fucking mind with worrying about everything and anything. Someone was definitely not on my side. I called the men to come to the meeting room to discuss what was on my mind—although I thought more or less it may end up with me yelling at every single one of them.

I stood in front of the windows in the meeting room that overlooked Haven. I could hear the men filing into the room minutes later. I continued to keep my back to them, though I didn’t like feeling vulnerable, not seeing them face to face, as if someone was going to put a knife in me right then and there. There was also a thrill about continuing to stand in this position knowing that even though one of them could kill me so easily, they wouldn’t. They were behind me, like they should be, the city outstretched before me. My standing like this was symbolic of a position of status. I’d watched Carmine do this and hadn’t really understood it—until now. Through the anxiety and paranoia, there was a surge of power ripping through me. I closed my eyes and attempted to focus on that single energy of supremacy.

When the shuffling had subsided, I knew they were all seated behind me. I pushed back my shoulders and turned around. There they all were, remaining quiet, their eyes to me. Carmine was my father. Surely I had a little of him inside me. My goal right now was to get into their heads—and fuck them up.

“I’m on a rampage,” I began, looking into each and every one’s eyes. I knew it wasn’t Brock, Stan or Ham. They were new. But everyone else remained a suspect. “One of you is a traitor.” I cocked my head to the side. I still hadn’t sat down. I remained standing, my hands resting against the edge of the enormous, elegant desk. “The question is…who?”

Remmy cleared his throat. I turned my attention to him. “I have only a little info on Detective Thomas.”

“A little?” I asked.

“Yeah, you’ll be disappointed.”

“Let me have what you’ve got.”

“He’s new to Haven. The officer over him said he thought he warned him to leave matters alone dealing with you. He was insistent that he’d done his part and told him that specifically. So it seems this particular detective is bought. Still haven’t figured out who yet though.”

I took a cigarette out of my pocket and placed it to my lips. Lighting it, I said, “You’re right, Remmy. I am disappointed. I expected you to know more than just that. I could’ve told you that without all the digging.” I got into Remmy’s face and blew out a puff of smoke. “I want to know who has him bought.”

Remmy’s eyes widened at my sudden outburst only inches from his face, but he didn’t back down.

I took a few steps back and threw my arms up in the air. This was it. The moment of reckoning was beginning.

“Someone in this room is a fucking rat. Since none of you assholes are going to come forward, and I can tell that you’re not going to let your conscience get the best of you, how are we going to figure this out? Huh? One of you killed Carmine. My father. So if you want to blame anyone for having me stand up here flipping the fuck out on you, blame yourself, because if you hadn’t shot him, I still would be a weed…just like you. And someone else here…I’m guessing the same person who killed Carmine…went and gave information to this new fucking detective letting him know when and where we were delivering the heroin. Now one of our customers is sketched out and doesn’t trust us, and one of our men…” I turned and looked at the other two Triplets present and pointed to them. “…
their
brother, was almost killed, on a simple fucking run.” I took another hit and let out all the air. “So how’s this going to work? I can’t wrap my mind around it. Should I just torture all of you fuckers and wait until someone breaks? Start fresh with a new crew? My trust is zilch right now. Fucking zilch.” I put my hand on the top of my gun resting at my waistline.

Seton jumped up from the table. “Nicky, listen to me. You need to calm the fuck down,” he growled in that deep, fierce voice of his. Seton had once frightened me. Now he was just one of my many peons.

“What are you going to do about it, Seton? Huh?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “How about you? What would your motive be for killing Carmine?”

“I didn’t kill Carmine.”

“Well someone fucking did.”

“Yeah, well, wasn’t me.”

I glared at him. “You were Carmine’s right hand man. Did you think you could just take over if you got rid of him?”

Seton’s vein bulged from his neck and his eyes grew wild as he took a few steps toward me, his intent intimidation. He was a big motherfucker, not so much tall, but broad and strong. I would place my bet on him if he had to go against one of the Triplets. He could definitely kick
my
ass, but he couldn’t contend with my gun. Without giving it a second though, I pulled the gun out and pointed it straight at Seton’s face. Surprisingly, my hand wasn’t trembling. Both of us just stood there.

Seton’s eyes narrowed. “Do it, Cain. Do it if you think I’m the rat.”

I stood there holding my ground for a few seconds more before lowering my weapon. No, I didn’t think it was Seton. Seton would be my
last
choice. He was fiercely loyal to Carmine. He had no need to take his place. He was content with being his number one and doing the dirty work. That’s what he was good at. He and I both knew his temper was too unpredictable to be placed in a leadership position. Then again, I wasn’t exactly leadership material either. I’d been virtually forced here.

If ever there was a feeling of insanity—and being completely aware that you’re there—it was me at this exact moment. I was shoving my gun in people’s faces and threatening to do things I would never be able to follow through with.
You’re losing it, Nicky. You’re losing your fucking sanity.

“I want you all to sit here and discuss getting this Detective Thomas off our ass. If in the midst of this discussion you realize who the killer among you is, feel free to shoot him in the fucking face. Otherwise, I’m going to bed. Have a good night, gentleman.”

With that, I turned and left the meeting room. An unfamiliar numbness was creeping up my arms and into my throat, giving me an awkward choking sensation. Fitting though. My own stress was literally choking the life from me.

Lilah was sitting at the barstool having a nightcap. She was wearing a black and white sexy negligee, her long blonde hair hanging down her back. I walked over to her and grabbed her hand.

She looked at me, surprised. “Meeting over?”

“Do me a favor,” I told her. “Don’t ask any questions tonight. In fact, don’t say a fucking word. Can you do that for me?”

She set her drink down and nodded.

“Good. Just let me be with you tonight, Lilah. Let me have my way with you.”

I led her over to the couch and pushed her down. I ran my hands up her silky smooth legs as I lifted the bottom of her short skirt. Damn. She wasn’t wearing any underwear. Perfect. I leaned over and kissed her neck gently, then sunk my teeth into her. She yelped but only for a second. In the next moment, she was purring in my hand.

SIXTEEN

CROSS

I was back at it at work trying to recreate the designs I’d spilled wine all over. All I could think about was the blood-stained mop still hanging in the back room. My eyes continued to glance up at the closed door of the back room Nicky had claimed as his own, as if someone was in there without my knowing. I knew no one was, but it did really irritate me to know that the room had even been finished without my knowledge. Everything was a constant irritant right now. I was finding it difficult to concentrate on much of anything lately.

I stood up to stretch for a moment and heard some commotion going on at the front desk. I left the solitude of my own space to go investigate what was going on.

“I’m sorry. I told you Miss Cross is busy right now. But I’d be more than happy to help you,” I heard Emily say.

I heard the deep laugh of a male followed by, “I’ve heard you say that three times now, my dear, but I only want Lilah.”

“Well, Lilah…” Emily started, but I cut her off.

A grin spread across my face when I realized who she’d been arguing with. “Robert,” I greeted him. “What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”

Emily pressed her lips into a snooty little pout. “I guess you two know each other?”

I nodded.

“I tried to get rid of him. He’s very persistent.” Emily smirked and darted off to the other end of the building, giving us some privacy.

“Nice girl you’ve hired,” Robert remarked.

He was always dressed in the best of the best. Not everyone could pull off that color of brown suit that he was wearing, but I was willing to bet he could wear just about anything and still look like a million bucks. I chuckled. “Is that sarcasm I’m sensing?”

“She’s like a guard dog out front here.”

“She’s good at many things. That’s why I hired her.”

Robert stuffed his hands in the pockets of his pants as he continued to stare at me.

“Shopping for new clothes today?” I asked him.

“Not exactly.” A wicked grin spread across his face.

I raised my eyebrows.

“More like Lilah Cross shopping,” he remarked, studying my face to see what kind of reaction he’d get.

I blushed a little before recuperating quickly. There was that overly friendly personality of his again.

“How have things been?”

“Busy,” I replied. “I think I’m finally getting a routine with running this place though.”

“Good.”

He continued to stare at me to the point where I had to look away. His eyes were too intense.

“Where’s your bodyguard?”

“What?”

“You know, that guy that was following you around. Or did you hire that girl—your guard dog—in his place?”

I leaned against the high desk and crossed my arms. “Oh. The bodyguard. He was fired for being annoying and getting in my business.”

Robert looked surprised. “Best news I’ve heard all day.”

“Oh, really?”

“He was pretty annoying, I have to admit. So now you’re a free woman?”

I thought about his question. Free woman? What exactly was he referring to? “From the bodyguard, yes.”

“I’m going to be forward with you, Lilah.”

I swallowed. “Okay.” He always did seem to be forward to the point of making me uncomfortable even if I did secretly like his bluntness.

Robert leaned casually against the desk beside me. “I think you’re a beautiful woman.”

“Why, thank you.” My eyes darted down to the floor. “I think you’re a great looking man.”

“I know you’re involved with someone…else. But you’re not married, and I was wondering if I’d still have a shot.”

“Robert…” I began.

He held up his hand, motioning for me to give him a chance to speak. “I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re smart and driven. I mean, look at this place.”

“I had a lot of help.”

“You need to take more credit.”

I laughed. He shifted positions as if he were a little nervous. I was certain he had to have asked hundreds of women out—or they had asked him. He was breathtakingly gorgeous. I was shocked he was even still single.

“I’m a businessman myself, Lilah. I don’t have a lot of time for relationships. I’ve never wanted to take the time anyway—until lately. That’s the sort of thing you do to me. You make me actually start to think about dating, romance, and all of that yucky stuff.”

I looked up at him. He grinned.

“I know I’m reaching here. I know I sound like a babbling idiot, but I’m desperate to get you to pay attention to me. Can we go out sometime? Dinner maybe? You like to eat, right?”

I nodded and laughed again. How was this even possibly happening to me? Robert Simeon could easily get a super model. Why was he so set on me? It just didn’t make sense in my mind. One thing was certain though—I couldn’t deny my attraction to this man. He was undeniably walking sex. He took great care in how he presented himself.

Nicky had been acting crazy lately. I still felt sick to my stomach when I thought about how cold he’d been to me after I’d tried to help with the Triplet’s gun wound. He was moody and beginning to show different sides to me—sides I would’ve rather never known existed. Even on my worst days, I would never speak to Nicky the way he had to me.

Mick popped into my thoughts. Maybe he was right. I shouldn’t be associated with someone like Nicky Cain. Being involved with him meant also being involved in his illegal activities. Did I really want my name associated with the mob? My father was a senator for god’s sake. If I thought he didn’t approve of Mark…what on earth would he think of Nicky? Maybe I should start distancing myself from him. I had everything I needed to make it on my own already with the business. Mick had looked so sympathetic toward me like I was a victim of abuse and kept denying the fact. Was that true? Was I in denial because of Nicky’s status, because he’d saved me from Mark and taken me in? Maybe I felt like I owed Nicky something. It was too much to think about. My mind was spinning.

“Give me your phone.” I held out my palm.             

He raised his eyebrows as he lifted it out of his front suit pocket.

I added my number to his contacts. “I do like to eat, you know. I
am
human.”

Robert cracked a smile.

“I have to think about it though, too. Give me some time. I have a lot on my plate right now.”

“Fair enough,” Robert told me, his fingers grazing mine as he took back his phone.

My eyes wandered to the door of Nicky’s room again. The memory of the shock came rushing back to me as I remembered the realization of it being finished, of seeing all the blood, of Augie with his fingers pressed against the Triplet’s wound. Nicky Cain could have a target on his back right now. What if he ended up getting himself killed because of being involved in this whole thing? I knew he told me Carmine was his father. But so what? He could walk away if he wanted to. He chose to stay. There was a lot of risk involved when it came to being with Nicky. He could make me melt with a single look, but I was thinking if given the chance, Robert could probably have the same effect on me.

“Enjoy the rest of your day, Lilah.” Robert reached for my hand, brought it up to his mouth, and gently pressed his lips to my skin.

Yeah. He could definitely have that same type of melting effect.

“You too.”

I watched him walk toward the doors. I noticed Emily watching him, too. How much had she seen of our interaction?

The adrenaline pumped through me. Screw it. Emily could watch over the store for a little while. She was great with customers and knew the gist of everything. I hurried to catch up to Robert before he left.

“Hey,” I hollered out.

He turned to look at me, one of his dark eyebrows raised in interest.

“I’ve already thought about it,” I told him. “Are you busy now? Would you want to go grab a bite to eat now?”

Robert looked at me for a moment before opening the door wide to let me go out in front of him.

“Emily, can you take care of things for a while?”

She nodded. “Have fun!”

Oh, I intended on it.